6. At times, he can play too quickly and become undisciplined, but he has the skills that are simply too hard to pass up for linebacker-needy teams. 4/27/22: Team sources say Bernard is a good college player who has limitations for the NFL. 2022 NFL Draft Linebacker 2022 NFL Draft: Inside Linebacker Rankings 1. The are other areas of his game that still need some fine-tuning and he can look a bit lost in coverage at times, but the potential is there, and if he puts it all together, we might be talking about Walker being one of the best linebackers to come out of this class. With three years of starting experience, Overshwon is a bit on the smaller side for linebackers, but he moves well and has a quick first step. One of the big winners from Senior Bowl. 7/17/21: McClain was a tackling machine for Auburn in 2020, totaling 113 stops. 2022 NFL Scouting Combine Preview: Linebacker Feb 27, 2022 at 12:45 PM Fran Duffy The linebacker group is a fascinating one to watch every year in the Draft because of the wide variety of shapes and sizes and skills sets leveraged in today's NFL. WebThe top 2022 Inside Linebacker prospects available for the 2022 NFL Draft. For position rankings: Big Board QB RB WR TE OT OG/C EDGE DL LB CB S Make sure to check out our NFL Draft page for more content like 2022 NFL Draft linebacker Rankings! Team sources who like Lloyd say he is big, long and athletic. Andersen is a former QB/RB that only has two full years of experience as a linebacker. He was solid, but not dominant, defender for Penn State. 2023 NFL Draft Odds: First Linebacker Drafted in First Round Prediction Drew Sanders: -170. Follow him on Twitter@davebirkett. All Rights Reserved, 2021 Season Stats: 66 Solo Tackles | 8 Sacks | 1 Forced Fumble | 4 INT, 2021 Season Stats: 36 Solo Tackles | 6 Sacks | 2 Forced Fumbles | 2 INT, 2021 Season Stats: 45 Solo Tackles | 5.5 Sacks | 2 Forced Fumbles | 0 INT, 2021 Season Stats: 78 Solo Tackles | 5.5 Sacks | 2 Forced Fumbles | 1 INT, 2021 Season Stats: 85 Solo Tackles | 1.5 Sacks | 0 Forced Fumbles | 3 INT, 2021 Season Stats: 26 Solo Tackles | 7 Sacks | 1 Forced Fumble | 0 INT, 2021 Season Stats: 23 Solo Tackles | 5 Sacks | 1 Forced Fumbles | 1 INT, 2021 Season Stats: 44 Solo Tackles | 9 Sacks | 4 Forced Fumbles | 0 INT, 2021 Season Stats: 23 Solo Tackles | 7 Sacks | 1 Forced Fumbles | 0 INT, 2021 Season Stats: 29 Solo Tackles | 4.5 Sacks | 1 Forced Fumble | 0 INT. Which linebackers were drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, and how does the latest class compare to other LB classes in the past 10 years? Campbell is a more traditional inside linebacker willing to take on blocks. ", Full draft prospect analysis from NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein. The game against Alabama helped him a lot, and he was able to show off his talents against a bigger opponent. 2022 NFL draft rankings: Linebacker - The Draft Wire 4/27/22: Harris has a first-round skill set, but he did not consistently play up to it in 2021. NFL Draft Get to know the Detroit Lions first draft pick, Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs. He has speed and athleticism to develop. He is explosive and has great power in his moves. 0. 38 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, trading their No. He looks like has three-down starting potential for the NFL. 2022 NFL Draft Free Press sports reporter Dave Birkett takes a position-by-position look at the top prospects and biggest Detroit Lions needs in the 2023 NFL draft. 2. He was awarded Second Team All-American and First Team All-SEC honors after leading the SEC in tackles with 135 tackles in 12 games. Hampton posted a team-best 9.5 tackles for loss in 2022, adding seven sacks, 39 tackles and All Scouts Average Overall Rank 20.8. Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot stated that you need a four-down strategy for Day 3 picks, and Hellams fits into that vision. ** - denotes 2024 prospect. He flashed at times in 2020. In 2021, Domann totaled 71 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and three passes batted. Web90.4. 2022 NFL Draft: Ranking the top off-ball linebackers in this years class, Heres everything the Detroit Lions netted in the Matthew Stafford trade. NFL 2022 Draft One of the best coverage linebackers in the draft, Nebraskas JoJo Domann is an electric playmaker with plenty of high-end traits. 2022 NFL The Falcons picked up the 2020 first-round pick's fifth-year option on Friday, keeping him in Atlanta through the 2024 season. 4/27/22: Muma played well for Wyoming in 2021, recording 103 tackles, one sack, three interceptions and one pass defended. Troy Andersen is a LB prospect in the 2022 draft class. He falls prey to false steps and wasted motion at times. It will be interesting to see if Allen can build on his resume now that he some additional experience. His struggles in coverage and inefficient tackling numbers give you great pause, but the elite athleticism and impressive physicality will give coaches plenty to work with. Moon flashed some edge-rush ability in 2019 with three sacks. Chase down running backs and wide receivers. I think Harris has the potential to play in any linebacker role, especially if he can clean up the mistakes, but his best role might be as a 4-3 WILLa role he is pretty familiar with alreadywith his size and speed. Crazier things have happened, though, as there are a few mocks out there that have mocked Lloyd to the Lions at 32. He might lack measurables, but he has the toughness and technique to see a boost in his performance once his play becomes more proactive.". The Alabama defensive back led the Crimson Tide in tackles in 2022. 2021-Derrick Barnes (4th round). Some team sources have raved about Clark. They feel he has good instincts, but is not overly twitchy. His most productive season came as a sophomore in 2019 when he had 84 stops, 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two passes broken up. linebacker 2022 NFL Draft In 2021, he finished with 50 run stops and a missed tackle rate of only 8.1 percent. 2020-None. He can track down a runner or receiver with great speed and strength. He could be a backup and special teams contributor in the NFL and may possess the potential to grow into more. Heres a breakdown of the top linebackers available By Eddie Brown April 25, 2022 6 AM PT Welcome to draft season! Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports. Quay Walker, Georgia - Round Grade: 2. It was his sixth season at California after he took advantage of the extra of eligibility stemming from COVID-19's effects on the 2020 season. NFL draft He was a decent contributor for Georgia in 2021, and he put together an excellent workout at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. 2 in tackles on the year and shooting up draft boards. Here are the NFL Draft odds, courtesy of FanDuel. He then played well in California's shortened 2020 season. He will occasionally get swallowed up by blocks in the run game or get bullied in coverage by bigger tight ends. His combination of rare explosive measurables with average fundamentals could make for a perfect storm of rapid development once he gets focused skill work at the pro levelHe has the traits and toughness to develop into an above-average starter as a 4-3 base end. In 2020, Harris notched 79 stops, 4.5 sacks, an interception and two passes batted. Tindall: Didnt make a ton of plays for Georgia, but then again neither did likely top-two overall pick Travon Walker. A little undersized, he won 17.6% of his pass-rushing attempts and registered a tackle resulting in a defensive stop on 8.7% of his snaps in run defense. Had 115 tackles (18.5 for loss) in 2021. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Te'von Coney, Philadelphia Stars 5. 4/27/22: Spector was solid for Clemson in 2021, notching 74 tackles, an interception, 2.5 sacks and a pass defended. In today's NFL, few positions have become as difficult to play as off-ball linebacker. Kingsley Enagbare has a forceful demeanor and great tackling power that bode well for an NFL team. However, he was a two-time team captain, and hes always hunting to hit. Lets take a look at this years linebacker class and how the top prospects are shaping up: Lloyd is the epitome of what you want in a modern day middle linebacker. The 2022 NFL draft will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, with the first round slated for April 28. Pappoe is a well-rounded linebacker whose speed stands out as a major strength of his on tape. The Indianapolis Colts will enter the 2023 NFL draft looking to address several positions, and it wouldnt be a surprise if Naturally, as a speedy and undersized backer, Dean will likely project to the next level as a 4-3 WILL that thrives in pursuit. He might also try to overcompensate for his lack of length by taking a poor angle and overrunning his target, but these are things you live with when you have a player of his caliber that can make such a huge impact on the game. Contact Dave Birkett atdbirkett@freepress.com. He projects as an NFL strong safety and low-hole defender who should be a regular on special teams.". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. He have to be a factor on special teams and, if he makes the team out of camp, could end up a core player in the kicking game. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & resort (KS). Olakunle Fatukasi, Rutgers (fifth round) 8. Weight Lbs 225lbs. There simply isnt a better run defender in this class than Leo Chenal. 7/10/21: With Micah Parsons sitting out the 2020 season, Smith flashed for Penn State, showing speed and athleticism. The 2022 draft class is loaded with pass-rushing talent and that especially rings true at the outside linebacker position. Sanders was a unanimous All-American in 2022. The 2022 season has been no exception, as he leads the NFL with 83 tackles and ranks tied for second among off-ball linebackers with eight run stuffs (trailing Matt Milanos nine). Campbell (6-5, 249) and Sanders (6-4, 235) are bigger linebackers who clog passing lanes with their size. 7/17/21: Rodriguez has been a consistent run stopper for the Cowboys over the past three seasons. Get the latest NFL Draft prospect rankings from CBS Sports. 4 overall pick. The repair is likely to force him to miss the 2022 season and will cause him to slide in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he could turn into a mid-round steal for the franchise that can be patient. A three-year starter, Herbig was more of a pass rusher than off-ball linebacker at Wisconsin. High-school valedictorian and finalist for Campbell Trophy (academic Heisman) in college. Charges downhill looking for big hit. For all Positions: QB RB WR TE OT OG/C EDGE DL LB CB S Nakobe Dean, Georgia Bulldogs Dean was an Under Armour All-American out of high school and like a lot of other good recruits, decided to play for the Georgia Bulldogs. He's a wildly athletic rusher who blends get-off, stride length and flexibility into one alarming package for tackles trying to slow him down. In his four years for the Bulldogs, Tindall did not start a single game on defense, but did see his role increase in 2021 where he still managed to register the third-most tackles on the team. 1. The combine medical exam, however, revealed that Clark needed neck surgery. In 2021, Morgan recorded 101 tackles, .5 sacks, an interception and three passes broken up. 2022 NFL Draft A fast riser thanks to a strong showing at the NFL combine, Campbell showed off some impressive athleticism. Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma (third round) 4. After Ventrell Miller was injured, Moon moved to inside linebacker. In his first season of extended playing time, Allen had five sacks, two forced fumbles and 33 tackles. As your New Orleans Saints prepare for the 2022 NFL Draft, we take a look at the top 10 ranked players at various positions. Indianapolis Colts 2023 NFL draft big board: Linebackers THE QBs:Time for Lions to make backup QB decision beyond Jared Goff, THE RBs:Lions have enticing RB options to complement David Montgomery, KICKING GAME:Michigan's Jake Moody could solve Lions' kicking woes. Devin Lloyd is a LB prospect in the 2022 draft class. Nakobe Dean did not participate in the NFL Combine, so he is relying on his existing tape and potentially pro day to get teams interested. Los Angeles on Saturday selected Appalachian State outside linebacker Nick Hampton with the 161st overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The 2021 NFL Draft is over and teams are getting comfortable with their new draft picks. Devin Lloyd from Utah, and Nakobe Dean from Georgia. Christian Harris leads the 2022 NFL Draft NFL Draft Hes proetty explosive with impressive speed and change of direction, but he worked mostly as a pass rusher in college. Nik Bonitto has great speed and burst, allowing him to achieve great success in the run game. Christian Harris is agile, athletic, and has the pursuit speed to keep up with some runners. 2021-Derrick Lloyd made some impressive plays in coverage and as a rusher in 2021. Like Parsons, Smith is a big linebacker who has serious speed. NFL Draft It would be best to avoid adding to the room on Day 2 if they can, and there are some promising Day 3 prospects to consider. Harris is fast, athletic and strong. https://coltswire.usatoday.com/lists/indianapolis-colts-2023-nfl-draft-big-board-rankings-linebackers/, it isnt clear what his timetable looks like, How Twitter reacted to Colts drafting DT Adetomiwa Adebawore, Experts grade the Colts' 2023 draft class, Introducing the Colts' 2023 NFL draft class, 10 takeaways from the Colts' 2023 NFL draft haul, How Twitter reacted to Colts drafting CB Darius Rush, How Twitter reacted to Colts drafting OT Blake Freeland, 2023 NFL draft: Players selected with picks Colts traded away, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Trenton Simpson, Clemson A two-year starter, Simpson has the length, speed and range for todays NFL. He has a quality skill set and looks like a safe pick to be a quality starter. Linebacker It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. He did not impress for the Rebels. Harris showed a lot of upside and the skill set to improve after gaining experience. Linebacker 4/27/22: Asamoah totaled 80 tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles in 2021 after recording 66 stops with two sacks, an interception and four passes broken up in 2020. Here is the 2022 NFL Draft prospect watchlist: Linebackers. All Scouts Average Overall Rank 20.8. NFL.com Overview: "Enagbare is long and strong but lacks explosiveness, which could create diverging opinions regarding his position and how best to play him. Clark is a future three-down starter who is a sideline-to-sideline tackling machine and can contribute well in coverage. He has the skills to be an NFL starter some day, but he may take a year or two to get there. 2022 NFL Draft Prospect Watchlist: Linebackers Washington Commanders NFC South Carolina Panthers Atlanta Falcons New Orleans Saints Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFC West Arizona Cardinals Los He had 87 tackles, 2.5 sacks and four passes broken up on the year. ESPN has him listed as the 6th best outside linebacker prospect. John Reed-USA TODAY Sports. 2022 NFL draft: The top 11 linebackers Teams AFC East Bills Dolphins Jets Patriots AFC North Bengals Browns Ravens Steelers AFC South Colts Jaguars Texans The 2023 NFL draft class of linebackers is a full buffet of different body types and skill sets, which fits the current paradigm of need. Started 40 games over last three seasons (including 12 as a true freshman) and played his best in bowl games. That may or may not be enough to make edge defender the clear-cut best position in the 2022 NFL Draft, but it's more than enough to make it a major storyline in the coming days. linebackers He really played well in 2019, amassing 112 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one interception, two passes defended and three fumble recoveries. Emmanuel Beal, Tampa Bay Bandits 6. As we break down the prospects by round, think of the rounds as tiers and when I believe the team should begin to consider drafting them. Often referred to as off-ball linebackers, just another term for a guy suited for ILB in 3-4 or middle linebacker. Home Draft Simulator Round 4: Auburn LB Owen Pappoe. Michigan linebacker Mike Morris (90) during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game against TCU, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Sideline to sideline agility and range. I Doesnt take the bait because avid film study has made him good at diagnosing plays. NFL Media analyst. Walker has a good combination of height, weight and speed. The 2023 NFL Draft is over but the Detroit Lions still have room on their 90-man roster to add a handful of undrafted players to the mix. Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty. Drew Sanders, Arkansas. Third Georgia linebacker on this list never started a game in college, but finished third on loaded defense in tackles in 2021. You'll now receive the top Colts Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. The star Inside Linebackers are most often playing OLB in college, and need certain skills: Able to call defenses, so smarts and experience. Can break down, which is a tackling technique of stopping before you tackle someone so you dont get beat by last second moves. WebThe 2022 NFL Draft was the 87th edition of the National Football League's annual draft and was held from April 2830, 2022, at the Caesars Forum on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.The first round was held on Thursday, April 28, and was followed by the second and third rounds on Friday, April 29. NFL Draft Pittsburgh Steelers NFL draft picks 2023 selection analysis - ESPN In 2022, Thompson was a first-team All-WAC selection, leading the team with five sacks along with 25 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and three forced NFL.com Overview: "Undersized edge defender who plays in a slant-based scheme that makes evaluating his three-down value more difficult. 110 overall picks to Indianapolis to get him. He also gutted through his pro-day workout even though he was not 100 percent healthy. DraftBlaster 4/27/22: Deng recorded four tackles over two games in 2021 before losing the rest of the season to injury. Could it be the Lions? Houston had eight sacks in seven games as a rookie and earned base defensive snaps at outside linebacker late in the season after debuting as a designated pass rusher. Ron Jenkins/Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington (fourth round) 6. NFL.com Overview: "A high-cut linebacker, Muma has a nose for the football but his methodology for getting there will need an upgrade to earn NFL playing time. Trenton Simpson, Clemson; 2. Henley has been starting at linebacker for two seasons and made the switch from wide receiver in 2020 so hes very new at the position. He is a tough run defender with quality instincts, and his improved conditioning made him more capable to defend the perimeter. Pappoe ran a 4.39s 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, making him the fastest linebacker in this draft class. Owen Pappoe, Auburn. From 2013 to 2022, an average of 32.5 LBs were selected, with a low of 25. Damone Clark, LSU, 6-2, 239 pounds: Underwent spinal fusion surgery last month to correct a herniated disk, putting his rookie season in jeopardy. The Posts Ryan Dunleavy gives his top 10 linebackers in this years NFL draft, based on evaluations and conversations with people around the league: 1. He could be a great special teamer and depth piece to the linebacker room. On ESPN, he is listed as the 5th best prospect for outside linebackers. Chad Muma is a LB prospect in the 2022 draft class. The draft concluded with rounds 47 on Saturday, April 30. This ranked 148 out of 2188 LB from Hes got the tape to back it up. Owen Pappoe, Auburn. NFL Draft expert Rob Rang identifies linebacker prospects the Seahawks could target in the 2022 NFL Draft. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. READ MORE:How James Houston could have Micah Parsons-like impact on Lions defense in 2023. That was given proof with his excellent workout at the combine. Ht/Wt: 6-3, 235. He then played at the Senior Bowl and had a respectable workout at the combine. Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington (fourth round) 6. Despite his size, hes been more of a This ranked 5 out of 2188 LB from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/Fv81WZG6dE #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/s6g8AHkT4J. 7/17/21: Lloyd flashed in 2019, logging 6.5 sacks with 91 tackles for the Utes. What youre getting with Lloyd is someone youll never have to take off the field on defense and someone who can fit any scheme you throw at him. Maybe the toughest scouting reports to make, because a lot of confusion: Inside linebackers in 3-4 arent generally premium players in the draft, but there is always a couple that have exceptionally well rounded skillsets that sneak into early rounds. 7/17/21: Over the past three seasons, Rose has been a tough run defender for Iowa State. For the best local Indianapolis news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to The Indianapolis Star. Rush counters come instinctively and his ability to seamlessly transition his attack from outside to inside makes him a projectable rusher against athletic tackles as a pro". 1 prospect and ESPN's second best inside linebacker. Domann was decent, but not especially impressive, at the Senior Bowl. Here are the 2022 NFL Draft linebacker rankings. The draft concluded with rounds 47 on Saturday, April 30. Devin Lloyd is a LB prospect in the 2022 draft class. Nakobe Dean, Georgia (fourth round) 5. While Spector was a quality defender for Clemson, he could have some limitations in coverage for the NFL. Linebacker remains one of the Eagles biggest offseason needs. He is yet another linebacker on this list that has plus sideline-to-sideline speed/range and thrives in pursuit. To view the players scouting report, click on the name of the player you want to learn more about. Devin Lloyd, Utah (third round) 3. Rose has skill-set limitations for the NFL, but he could be a third-day prospect who is a backup and special teams contributor. 2022 NFL Draft Devin Lloyd, Utah (third round) 3. 4/27/22: Henry totaled 39 tackles in 2021. Clark profiles as an early backup and special-teams performer but has projectable upside that could make him a starting inside linebacker within his first three seasons.". At the Combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds, had a vertical jump of 36.5 and posted a broad jump of 127. Showing well in pass coverage could help the senior to rise. Round grade: 3rd round (will likely fall due to injury). He transferred from UConn to Cincinnati and saw improvement in switching from an edge rusher to an off-ball linebacker. Gambling Problem? While that's a snapshot of his defensive chops, but there's more to his evaluation than that. After coming to California from the junior college ranks, Deng had a productive 2019 season and was a solid run defender. Walker's tackle total will probably increase in 2021 because Rice is in the NFL. All rights reserved. If I had to guess, Andersen should hear his name called in the second-third round range and has the capability of playing a two-way role at the next level. To rise as a senior, Henry needs to produce more in pass coverage and show an ability to cover downfield. This is why I see him translating to the next level as a 4-3 WILL that will be asked to play in space and chase down targets. Size-and-speed package wont scare you. * - denotes 2023 prospect. His pass-rush production was impressive, but he is undersized as a rusher for the NFL. 4/27/22: Gemmel was a solid, but unspectacular, linebacker for North Carolina over the past three seasons. Sanders, an Alabama transfer who made a top-30 visit to Detroit, adds versatility as a nickel pass rusher. Trenton Simpson: +500. He uses quick feet, a flexible frame and unusually successful recovery balance to slink into playmaking positions in the run gameHis slender frame will get knocked and he needs to craft a more repeatable rush, but he is competitive and savvy.
Categories
